Humble Design Expansion to Address Chicago Homelessness

Humble Design Fueled by U-Haul is expanding its philanthropic mission beyond Greater Detroit to assist disadvantaged families and veterans transitioning out of homeless shelters in the Chicago area.

This is the first expansion of what the nonprofit and its primary sponsor, U-Haul International, hope will lead to Humble Design chapters on a national scale. The organization has provided furnishings and design services to 733 Michigan families since 2009. It turns empty houses into clean, dignified and welcoming homes.

Drutchas named Director

Kristin Drutchas will serve as Director of Humble Design Chicago. Drutchas (pictured above), a former Wicker Park home furnishings business owner and Chicago public school fundraiser, is motivated by the mission ahead while eager to get going.

“Humble Design invites all Chicagoans to get in the game and fight homelessness,” Drutchas says. “We can all do something. Bring your company in for a day of service to set up a family’s home. Donate your gently used furnishings and household items to a new family – it’s recycling at its finest. Help save lives and slam the door on the vicious cycle of homelessness in Chicago.”

CB2 Comes on Board

Logo love: CB2 joins Humble Design and U-Haul while working to overcome homelessness in Chicago.

The operation is supported by city officials in addition to Chicago-based CB2, the official corporate sponsor of Humble Design Chicago. Together with Humble Design, CB2 pledges to sponsor 20 homes in the next year.

“CB2 is honored to support the mission of Humble Design Chicago,” says Ryan Turf, CB2 Managing Director. “We align with the belief that a home not only provides shelter and comfort, but gives a family dignity and respect. Helping families get back on their feet and into a new home is an incredible accomplishment, thanks to the Humble Design team.”

How Humble Helps

Humble Design Chicago operates out of U-Haul Moving & Storage of Bridgeport at 431 W. Pershing Road. Donation drop-off hours will soon be on the Humble Design website. Donation pick-up service also will be available one day a week in Cook County.

Treger and Rob Strasberg proudly serve the community as co-CEOs of Humble Design Fueled by U-Haul

Due to Humble Design’s charitable work, NBC’s Today show, CNN, Inside Edition and other TV programs are willing to share its touching tale. Treger Strasberg, co-founder of the organization, began this mission eight years ago. Her efforts, meanwhile, centered on single mothers emerging from shelters and moving with their children into low-income housing. Consequently, many of the families are victims of abuse and leave behind all material possessions.

With the arrival of U-Haul Company’s primary sponsorship in 2016, the equipment, storage and national infrastructure was there to make expansion possible. Furthermore, former Doner Global Creative Chairman Rob Strasberg, Treger’s husband, is helping oversee expansion efforts as co-CEO of Humble Design.

Right Fit for Chicago

“Chicago was a perfect fit for our first expansion,” Treger Strasberg says. “We understand from our partnering homeless shelters that no other organization is addressing the issue. We are eager to provide dignity and comfort to some of the 125,000 homeless individuals in the city. Only 1 percent of our 733 families in Detroit have returned to homelessness. We fully expect the same results in Chicago. This will, in turn, save the city and the state essential funds.”

Rob Strasberg adds: “With U-Haul Company’s sponsorship, storage and trucks, CB2’s financial commitment and a host of volunteers who have stepped forward, we will start to make an impact on the homeless situation in Chicago from day one.”